malka

Malka is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "queen" (from Hebrew malka, מלכה). It is used among Jewish communities and in Israel, and has been adopted by diasporic communities around the world. The name is often transliterated as Malka, Malcah, Malke, or Malkah, with Malcah being a recognized Yiddish- or English-influenced variant.

Etymology and cognates: The name derives from the Hebrew word for queen and is cognate with Arabic malika and other Semitic forms that express royalty. In modern Hebrew, Malka is a straightforward given name and may appear in compound forms or in honor of biblical or royal imagery.

Usage: In addition to its use as a given name, Malka appears in literature and arts as a character name and is used by families seeking a traditional, culturally resonant name. In some communities, Malka is used as a middle name or as part of a longer name.

Notable people: One widely cited variant is Malcah Zeldis (1916–2020), an American Jewish painter and poet who used Malcah as her given name.

See also: Melech (king) and Malika (Arabic for queen).